Villarreal expand La Cerámica redevelopment
Villarreal are extending the redevelopment of Estadio de la Cerámica with new access, safety, sporting and event facilities while seeking to stage their first three LaLiga matches of 2026–27 away from home.
Villarreal have begun another phase of work at Estadio de la Cerámica as the club seek to improve crowd movement, create new commercial spaces and strengthen the venue’s long-term matchday offer.The project includes new entrances and internal distribution corridors designed to improve supporter access and safety. Construction is taking place across both the interior and exterior of the stadium.A separate building is being developed near the Fondo Norte and Tribuna areas, providing new dressing rooms, sporting facilities, parking and spaces capable of hosting events.The new dressing-room building will be connected to the stadium by an elevated walkway. Moving team facilities out of their current location could allow Villarreal to repurpose existing areas for additional seating, hospitality or other revenue-generating uses.The works continue a wider transformation completed around Villarreal’s centenary in 2023, which included a new roof, video screens, lighting, seating and a ceramic exterior.Villarreal said: “This new phase will focus on key aspects such as improving access points and optimising services through the construction of new entrances and distribution corridors, significantly improving the flow and safety of fans.”Some season-ticket holders will be affected by changes to seating arrangements during the development. The club plan to offer alternative locations and contact affected supporters individually during the 2026–27 renewal process.The expansion is intended to increase the flexibility of the venue beyond first-team fixtures. New event areas and improved supporter facilities could support hospitality, sponsorship and non-matchday revenue.Villarreal are also expected to ask LaLiga to schedule their opening three league fixtures of next season away from home, providing additional time to complete the most disruptive elements before spectators return.Approval would leave the club starting the campaign with three consecutive away matches before receiving a run of home fixtures later in the season. LaLiga has previously accommodated similar requests when stadium projects have affected venue availability.The scheduling plan would reduce the risk of operating the ground while major access and safety works remain under way, although it could create an uneven sporting and commercial calendar.Delaying the first home match would also postpone early-season ticketing, hospitality and food and beverage income. Villarreal would expect to recover part of that revenue through the corresponding sequence of home games later in the campaign.Estadio de la Cerámica has a capacity of about 23,500, giving Villarreal one of LaLiga’s more compact grounds relative to the club’s recent European performance.Physical constraints around the city-centre site limit the scope for a conventional large-scale capacity expansion. The club are therefore prioritising circulation, premium areas, infrastructure and the use of available space.Work will continue during the summer, with Villarreal awaiting LaLiga’s decision on their request before confirming when the stadium will stage its first match of the 2026–27 season.